Queenstown, once again, is about to become the place to be for winter fun and action in the southern hemisphere, with the opening of Coronet Peak and the Remarkables ski areas this month and the Queenstown Winter Festival launch on Friday.
It was the Remarkables' turn to open on schedule on Saturday to the delight of hundreds of skiers and snowboarders, after Coronet Peak had switched on its chairlifts the weekend before.
Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence told the Queenstown Times the 2012 season opener was "picture perfect, with blue skies overhead, very little snow wind.
The snow's in very good condition, cold temps and people are really enjoying it, which is awesome."
Mr Lawrence said there was a snow base of 20cm, which was fairly light, but there was good, even coverage on the trails which were open and the snow was quite dry thanks to the low temperatures. The access road was clear and gritted and without problems, he said.
"We've got the beginners' area open, with the base lodge conveyor running, and you can ski and board on both sides of that conveyor," he said.
"Heading up Alta quad chair we've got Alta Green Trail open top to bottom and then getting in Sugar Bowl, we've got Castaway Trail top to bottom as well as the big terrain park, with 10 features drawing a crowd as always."
The crowd of 1500 people over the weekend was also evenly spread, meaning quick access to chairlifts, Mr Lawrence said.
"There's a lot of locals out. As far as holidaymakers go, it's still early days, so a lot of the crowd are Kiwis and a lot of familiar faces and it's good to see them back."
Patrons who enjoyed themselves included seven Remarkables Primary School pupils, aged between 5 and 12 years, who were the winners of a snow art competition.
Pupils painted a picture of themselves or their family enjoying the snow at the Remarkables three weeks ago.
NZSki announced at the weekend its offer of a special pass for Wakatipu residents, which was valid every day from today to Friday, June 22, for the price of a one-day lift pass.
People are asked to present proof of residence, such as a rates or utility bill, at the Queenstown Snow Centre or the Remarkables guest services desk to access the offer.
Children aged 10 and under ski free at the family-focused Remarkables for the entire season.
"We've got something for everyone. You don't have to be a skier or boarder," Mr Lawrence said.
"People who just want to come up in an alpine environment can go for a guided tour up to the lookout, and that's a chairlift ride as well as hiking up to the ridge line to look back over the basin, and that's pretty awesome.
"Or chairlift and go tubing for an hour and that's for families or anyone having fun.
"There's a variety of things people can be doing here, so come on up and have a look-see."
